3Q2008 Writers Workbench Better Writers through Instructional Computer Feedback Rated #1 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Writing Enhancement Software by Top Ten.

3Q2008

Writer’s Writer’s WorkbenchWorkbench

Better Writers throughBetter Writers throughInstructional Computer FeedbackInstructional Computer Feedback

Rated #1 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009Writing Enhancement Software

by Top Ten Reviews

3Q2008

Designed originally by AT&T Bell Labs to help developers write more effective documentation on their developments

Brought to education through AT&T’s seeding program via Colorado State U, U of Wisconsin, Glenbard West HS, North Iowa Area Community College, and others

Enhanced many times, then, re-created to interactively analyze documents created and revised in Word


OriginsOrigins

Visit our website at www.writersworkbench.com

3Q2008

A set of toolsset of tools that helps students, authors, writing tutors, and instructors learn and teach writing skills

26 programsprograms designed to analyzeanalyze writers’ documents as they write and revise in Microsoft Word

29 interactive programsinteractive programs which teach students skills in different areas of writing

A referencereference that provides correct usage of over 800 of the most commonly misused words and phrases

A powerful tool for use individuallyindividually or in writing labswriting labs

What isWhat isWriter’s Writer’s

Workbench?Workbench?


3Q2008

Operates on a Stand Alone PCStand Alone PCOperates in a Writing LabWriting LabOperates in MicrosoftMicrosoft®® Word: Word:Word ’97, Word 2000, Word XP, Word 2003, Word 2007

Operates with MicrosoftMicrosoft®® Windows:Windows:Windows '95, '98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7Is very reasonably priced



3Q2008

Now has the ability to help grade Now has the ability to help grade compositions and to helpcompositions and to help

track writing improvementtrack writing improvement

22 Computer-Quantifiable StatisticsNumber of Sentences, Average Sentence Length, Number of Words, Average Word Length, Average Content Word Length, Flesch Readability Score, % Sentences with Diction Alerts (Pet Peeves), % “To Be” Verbs (passive language), % Subject Beginnings (looking for connecting ideas),% Vague Words, % Abstract Words, % Negative Words, % Sentences with Transitions (again, connecting ideas), % Sentences with Introductory Elements, % First Person Pronouns, % Second Person Pronouns, % Third Person Pronouns (too many can result in vagueness), % Helping Verb Errors, % Split Infinitives, % Article Errors, Focus Score, Punctuation Problems


3Q2008

In a Writer's Workbench Lab, the Writer’s Workbench Toolbar standsas a waiting Instructor's Assistant for students writing compositions in Microsoft Word.

The instructor assigns a composition. As students work on their compositions or finish their drafts, they can analyze their documents with a simple click on one ofWriter’s Workbench Toolbar buttons.

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench

(Word 2003 and earlier)(Word 2003 and earlier)


3Q2008

Provides access to the Analysis Programs menu

Provide easy access to the Spell Checker, Thesaurus, and Word Count programs included with Microsoft Word

Finds subsequent occurrences of words or phrases found by WordSearch on the Analysis Toolbar

Provide an easy mechanism to hide and reveal quotes, dialogues, and references from statistical analyses and “hide/reveal help”

The Writer’s The Writer’s Workbench Workbench

Composition Toolbar (Word Composition Toolbar (Word 2003 and earlier)2003 and earlier)

Provides access to the STEPS exercises menu

Provides a tool for toggling between writers’ compositions and their analyses


3Q2008

Provides an easily indexed access to correct usageof over 800 commonly misused words and phrases

Provides access to Writer's Workbench Help

Finds, in the writers’ compositions, the first occurrence of any word or phrase highlighted in the analysis

A powerful tool that inserts more information and examples of how writers might revise their documents

Provides an easy-to-use mechanism for formatting and printing Writer’s Workbench Analyses

Closes the analysis immediately without asking to save changes


Analysis Toolbar (Word Analysis Toolbar (Word 2003 and earlier)2003 and earlier)


Quickly reruns that analysis after writers make suggested revisions

3Q2008

In a Writer's Workbench Lab, the Writer’s Workbench Ribbon standsas a waiting Instructor's Assistant for students writing compositions in Microsoft Word.

The instructor assigns a composition. As students work on their compositions or finish their drafts, they can analyze their documents with a simple click on one ofWriter’s Workbench Toolbar buttons.


(Word 2007)(Word 2007)


3Q2008

Provides access to the Analysis Programs menu

Provide easy access to the Spell Checker, Thesaurus, and Word Count programs included with Microsoft Word

Finds subsequent occurrences of words or phrases found by WordSearch on the Analysis Toolbar

Provide an easy mechanism to hide and reveal quotes, dialogues, and references from statistical analyses and “hide/reveal help”


Composition Ribbon (Word Composition Ribbon (Word 2007)2007)

Provides access to the STEPS exercises menu

Provides a tool for toggling between writers’ compositions and their analyses


Last two buttons described on the next slide

3Q2008

Provides an easily indexed access to correct usageof over 800 commonly misused words and phrases

Provides access to Writer's Workbench Help

Finds, in the writers’ compositions, the first occurrence of any word or phrase highlighted in the analysis

A powerful tool that inserts more information and examples of how writers might revise their documents

Provides an easy-to-use mechanism for formatting and printing Writer’s Workbench Analyses

Closes the analysis immediately without asking to save changes


Analysis Ribbon (Word Analysis Ribbon (Word 2007)2007)


Quickly reruns that analysis after writers make suggested revisions

3Q2008


Composition & Composition & AnalysisAnalysis

In a few seconds after the author clicks on the button to initiate the program, the screen will split vertically; and the analysis will appear in the screen to the right of the student's composition.

Authors may make either the analysis screen or the composition screen active as they analyze and revise their compositions by clicking on the button on either toolbar.


3Q2008

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench “MoreInfo”“MoreInfo”

“MoreInfo” is available to authors who would like additional information or examples on how they might revise their compositions based on the analysis.

Examples and more information are inserted directly into the analyses to guide authors through the revision process.

A second push of this button directs the author to consult the appropriate STEPS exercise.


3Q2008

SSelf-elf-TTutoringutoring EExploration xploration

andand PPreparationreparation SStepsteps

Each STEPSSTEPS document describes the information provided in an analysis and, in a two-column presentation, provides instruction in the left column and activities /exercises in the right column.

These instructional programs prepare authors to identify whether or not revisions are needed and enable them to make needed revisions.

Manual Website


3Q2008


STEPSSTEPS ExampleExample

29 different STEPS exercisesguide authors through differentareas of writingThese documents teach authors how to interpret Writer’s Workbench analyses and how to use the analyses’ guidance to improve the mechanics of their compositions.Authors move through STEPS via the vertical STEPS navigation bar on the right of the screen.Answers to the exercises appear on the next page of the STEPS program.


3Q2008


WordUseWordUseWordUse provides correct usageof over 800 commonly misused words and phrases.

Type the first couple of letters ofthe word or phrase in questionand the screen will scroll to thatentry.

Click on Display to display helpfor that word or phrase.

The index for WordUse providescross-references for many of thewords. For example, there are entries for both “accept” & “except” and “except” & “accept” or “affect” & “effect” and “effect” & “affect.”


3Q2008

Writer’s Writer’s Workbench Workbench Analyzing Analyzing

Selected TextSelected TextThe writer can analyze aportion of his or her documentby selecting text to analyze.

The writer must select at least100 words.

Writers find this selectioncapability useful in focusingon new text and changes intheir compositions.

Writers working on long compositions use this feature to “divide and conquer.”


3Q2008

Displaying only those sentences with flagged items – Verbs, Clarity, Words, Punctuation

Providing one or more bold statistics at the top of each analysis New analysis: "Comma, Semicolon, Colon" –

Provides rules for internal-to-sentence punctuation

New STEPS exercisesVocabularyCommaComma, Semicolon, Colon

Dramatic performance enhancements (Word 2K and XP)

Enhancements -Enhancements -WWB 8.16 (June WWB 8.16 (June

2005)2005)New analysis: “Self and Personal Pronouns” now also flags 1st, (I, me) 2nd (you), and 3rd (he, she, they, it) person pronounsDiction and Check Analyses –

Much easier to interpret andmake revisions

Diction now flagging prepositions ending sentencesImproved Style Sheet with recommended statistics in MoreInfo Improved Website – New Tutorials:www.emo.com/tutorialsVideo Tutorials on CD


3Q2008

Versatile support for computer display resolutions including wide screen desktop and notebook computers

Improved error checking and messages for schools’ security software issues Adjustable timeout feature for faster and slower computer systemsWord’s window sizes can now be reset through keyboard macros


2006)2006)Better handling of abbreviations and strange punctuation as Writer’s Workbench determines sentences Writer’s Workbench Manuals, Faculty Guides, Orientations, Ordering Information, PowerPoint Show, and Brochures now installed with the software – click “Start, (All) Programs, Writer’s Workbench, Documentation” – feel free to view or print these documents as needed


A new button on theWWB Analysis Toolbar allows the writer, after making changes to the composition, a quick rerun of his or her analysis

3Q2008

Windows CompatibilityWindows VistaWindows XPWindows 2000Windows ME

Windows ‘98 Word Compatibility

Word 2007Word 2003Word 2002 (XP)Word 2000Word ’97

Ability to analyze compositions that include tablesNew WordUse and WWB Help


2007)2007)Writing Mechanics AssessmentInstructor chooses appropriate scores and corresponding messages for 18 computer-quantifiable statistics such as -

Number of words & sentencesAverage content word lengthFocus scoreVagueness percentage“To Be” percentageReadability ScorePercent helping verb errorsPercent first and second person pronounsPercent of diction alertsPercent transitions & introductory elements

“Assessment Setup” provides guidelines for weighing criteria and adjusting acceptable scores

Output – one-sheet assessment with suggestions that show the writer how to improve the mechanics of their compositions

Option to track writing score improvement


3Q2008

Easier to read analysis menuAssessment Scores Module –22 computer-quantifiable statisticsNew “Pet Peeves” editorMore “Word 2007 friendly” – now includes ribbonsNo need to uninstall previous release – upgrade path includedNew, more descriptive message boxes help guide usersNew WWB Help


2008)2008)


3Q2008

Assessment Scores – Why acceptable? Assessment Scores – Easier to read areas for improvementAssessment Scores – Choose only those statistics needed to avoid confusion

Control Assessment Scores from network file for all Writing Lab Computers.

Ability to process international words like café (all international characters)Ability to work with 50 or more words (more than 100 in last release)Style Support Analysis now prints sentences with nominalizations even if acceptable percentageKeyboard shortcutsRemote Control program now in place for training and support

Enhancements –Enhancements –WWB 8.3 (June WWB 8.3 (June

2009)2009)


3Q2008

Writer’s Writer’s WorkbenchWorkbenchAssessment Assessment

Module ConfigModule ConfigNew

“Display?”

option

3Q2008

Writer’s Writer’s WorkbenchWorkbenchAssessment Assessment

ScoresScoresTeachers with appropriate computer permissions can set thresholds and corresponding messages for given grade levels and/or assignments

Students are provided with goal and suggestion if their statisticsdo not meet your standards

This document can be printed and included in students’ portfolios

Statistics can be logged to a network file to track writing improvement

A great place to start

3Q2008


WebsiteWebsite


3Q2008

WWBWWB On-Line On-Line DocumentationDocumentation


3Q2008


available for available for home usehome use

Students, instructors, and authors can now purchase the same software that they use at school for use at home!

Writer’s Workbench is easy to order through our web site or through a toll-free call to(888) 366-8326

Price: $100.00 Visit our website at www.writersworkbench.com

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/

3Q2008

THANK YOU…THANK YOU…

Writer’s Writer’s WorkbenchWorkbenchGreg Oij - [email protected]

(630) 548-4219 Direct(888) 366-8326 Toll-Free

www.writersworkbench.com

“For the best educational software that we could find, see Writer’s Workbench” ... Top Ten Reviews

3Q2008 Writers Workbench Better Writers through Instructional Computer Feedback Rated #1 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Writing Enhancement Software by Top Ten.

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